In addition to new businesses poised to bring more shoppers and diners to Olde Towne Woodstock, government projects are planned to make the area more attractive.
The area lost 12 businesses in 2009, but saw 14 openings this year as well, said Billy Peppers, the city's director of economic development services.
"That's pretty good," he said, noting it resulted in a net gain of two new businesses.
This year, he said, was difficult for businesses for a number of reasons, such as decreased revenue, the impact of the Woodstock Downtown foreclosure and the Sept. 21 flooding.
New businesses that have opened since December 2008 include: Ameris Bank, Bella Boutique, HoneyButter, Main Street Nail Studio, The Magnolia Thomas Restaurant, Pure Taqueria, Punctuation Boutique, Salon Bastille, Sawhaven Renovations, Springfield Photography, Theatre Concepts, Val's Happy Shack and Vingenzo's.
Peppers, who is also executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said he's beginning to see "a lot of creative energy in downtown."
Earlier this year, the Whole Nine Yarns expanded its store to add a classroom studio.
The store has added more classes and now employs 12 instructors. Along with basic and advanced knitting, classes such as spinning, crocheting, rug hooking and weaving are offered.
"Things are going very good," owner Debi Light said.
Also, with the city actively pursuing Main Street City designation with the state Department of Community Affairs, Peppers said merchants and volunteers are working to "re-brand" and market Woodstock.
"We want you to come and enjoy life in our community," he said, adding the rebranding was based off the classic board game, Life.
While merchants want to progress toward prosperity, they must contend with its elephant downtown: the foreclosed property owned by the former Bank of Woodstock, which is now Ameris Bank.
The Woodstock Downtown mixed-use development created by Hedgewood went under late in 2008. City leaders are now trying to work with various owners of the property to move new retail into the spaces.
The long-awaited restaurant, J. Christopher's, Peppers said, could move into its Woodstock Downtown location between 45 and 60 days once its location in Brookhaven in western DeKalb County opens.
Peppers added by the end of the first quarter in 2010, downtown Woodstock could see "a handful" of new businesses announce they are coming to the area.
The arts community is also increasing its presence downtown.
The Towne Lake Arts Center is using the 1912 sanctuary of the Woodstock Community Church to bring its productions and classes to downtown.
"It brings another level of opportunity for people to come downtown and enjoy things," he said.
The city government closed on the church property in September after voting to purchase it $3.7 million. The facility eventually will be used for Woodstock City Hall and government offices.
The Woodstock City Council also plans to expand Woodstock City Park to include an amphitheatre downtown. The BRPH firm is conducting design studies for both the church property and the park and will present its findings in January.
The city government is waiting on the state Department of Transportation to complete its review of the city's Livable Communities Initiative streetscapes project planned for downtown.
The project, which improves the landscaping from the Main Street/Arnold Mill Road/Towne Lake intersection to Oak Street, is being reviewed by the GDOT, Woodstock Community Development Director Richard McLeod said.
Once the GDOT signs off, McLeod said he hopes to go to bid on the $1 million project by January or February.
A proposed pedestrian crosswalk over the railroad tracks downtown is coming soon, too. Everything has been finalized, McLeod said, and construction could begin as early as the beginning of 2010.
The crosswalk will run across Main Street from Elm Street to Chambers Street.
A proposal to widen Arnold Mill Road and Towne Lake Parkway is in the design phase, and the city is "a couple of years away" from construction.
While new businesses are continuing to open, Peppers said merchants realize they will have to work harder for customers to see a "windfall of revenue."
However, he noted with businesses such as Priest Home Furnishings offering free delivery, FoxTale Book Shoppe presenting free events such as author signings and the "personalized services" offered at local salons and boutiques, downtown Woodstock is the ideal place for shopping.
"People who are spending money want a bigger return of service," he said.
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